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Hi - I purchased a new microwave vent combo that is seven inches thinner than my old model. I have basic white subway tile backsplash throughout the kitchen. Not surprisingly the new tile is much whiter than the old tile that has discolored with age and kitchen activity. Any tips on ways to...

Hi - I recently had a contractor do some drainage work and they had to cut the sidewalk to run the pipe to the curb. The new patch looks terrible. Should I just be patient and it will weather similar to surrounding or did they use the wrong type to match what is existing? Any way to fix it now...

Hi - I have a 1920s home that has brick columns in the crawl space. Previous owner had the crawl encapsulated and the wrap goes up a couple of feet on the columns. I am seeing heavy efflorescence on the exposed brick and mortar joints. The columns are in the middle of the crawl space. The...

Hi - I had a leak with my tank gasket and took steps to replace all tank hardware and the gasket. That leak has stopped. However, when repairing the tank I noticed the toilet was out of level and dipping towards the front. I added shims to the front to level the toilet (there were some visible...

Hi - I have a single level home in SE USA and looking to replace our 20+ year old 4 ton A/C unit. I have a great price on a 14 SEER Ruud unit that is single stage. One of the issues we experience is the humidity in our house gets up into the high 50- 60% level during the day as we have the...

Hi - I recently purchased a 1930s home that has an addition that was put on the back of the house in the early 2000s. The addition has a curtain foundation with concrete block piers but has lumber spanning between the piers (not brick or concrete block that seems typical). Unfortunately, a good...

Hi - I have a very old concrete flume that runs along the edge of my 1930s home. It is unsightly and water puddles in it at times and I am hoping to remove it. Photos attached. I have had quotes to add a couple of catch basins and to connect downspouts to a buried pipe that will run to the curb...

Hi - I have a new home and recently noticed that there is a large gap between the floor and wall tiles in our shower. It is a standalone shower and not a tub shower with standard white subway tile on the walls. Currently, the gap is filled with caulk and has a lot of mold visible. I would say...

Hi - I am painting a new two-panel interior door. Solid pine stiles and rails and I believe mdf core/panels. It came primed. My issue is that I cannot seem to avoid patchy highly visible brush strokes on the panels. Using semi-gloss Sherwin Williams super paint w/ Nylon brush. Sanded after the...

Hi - I am looking to add a 24" x 80" door to my bathroom that has existing jamb/cased opening. The jamb is not perfectly square but it is not far off either. Unfortunately, removing the jamb and casing would be very difficult with how the tile is laid near the opening and with how tight the trim...

Hi - I am looking to replace old carpeting in my basement. There is water damage from drainage issues that have since been solved so it needs to come up. Beyond the water that was entering through an exterior door, I believe the carpet was installed incorrectly over unsealed concrete. I have not...

Hi - I have a roof that was installed less than four years ago that is now leaking. Roofer seems to be cooperating and saying they will repair but he is unable to tell the issue. I am curious if based on the pitch of the roof if the shingles were laid correctly and hoping the forum's expertise...

Hi - I recently had my crawlspace encapsulated. The installer said that they were not able to raise the air handler/furnace and have the poly extend below the unit. This decision has left a small section that is not covered with poly and small area of dirt is exposed around the unit. My concern...

Hi - I am interested in installing a bluestone patio over my current concrete patio. I have researched online and difficult to find a definitive answer if this is recommended or not... The patio drains okay but there is some puddling. There are some cracks but it is not heaving. I live in zone...

I have three large Water Oaks in my backyard that I had crowned and pruned about three years ago. Since having this done, the trees are covered in new growth of little branches (suckers?) and the canopy is fuller by multiples before having the work done. Is this cause for concern? Was the work...

I recently had an indoor air quality expert advise that I install a Crawlspace vent vs Encapsulating the space. They advised this would be cost-effective approach. Vent would be humidity controlled and would turn on if crawlspace humidity was higher than outdoor humidity. Crawlspace would be...

I have a 1950s home with a 600 sq ft crawlspace next to a finished basement. Furnace/AC is located in the crawlspace. It has a dirt floor and cinder block walls. I live in a warmer climate (ATL). I have received several quotes on encapsulation and the most agreeable is suggesting the option...

I had my roof completely redone last year. New asphalt shingles and several rotted boards of sheathing replaced. The roofers had to remove 3+ layers of old shingles so it was a substantial amount of work. In the process, they cut off the tops of several pipes venting from the roof. I am not sure...